Valve cover

ABSTRACT

The presently-disclosed subject matter includes valve covers. The valve covers can protect valves from exposure as well as from tampering. In some embodiments the valve cover comprises a cap that includes a top end and a side wall that is substantially cylindrical. Embodiments of valve covers also include a plug on an interior side of the top end of the cap that projects toward the opening of the cap. When the valve cover is installed, the plug can extend beyond an opening of the valve.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/991,766 filed Jan. 8, 2016 entitled “Valve Cover,” which is acontinuation of PCT Application No. PCT/US2014/021373 filed Mar. 6, 2014entitled “Valve Cover”, each of which is hereby incorporated byreference in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The presently-disclosed subject matter generally relates to a cover forvalves. More particularly, the presently-disclosed subject matterrelates to valve covers that include a cap that covers the valve and aplug for the valve opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Compressed and/or liquefied gasses are commonly stored in metalcontainers or tanks, which are commonly referred to as cylinders. Todispense the gas, a valve is provided on the containers. The valves arecoupled to the containers and comprise a valve opening from which gascan be released. Valves also include a mechanism for opening and closingthe valve, such as a handle or wheel that can be activated.

Gasses can be stored under relatively high pressure, can be flammableand/or toxic, and can be harmful to animals and the environment. Gassesmay also be relatively expensive or may need to be stored for extendedperiods of time. Thus, a valve should open only when the openingmechanism is activated. In addition, since these gases under pressurecan be toxic, flammable, and/or expensive, the connection between thecontainer and any utilization equipment should be “leak free” or “leaktight,” meaning there are no leaks that allow excess amounts of thecompressed gas to unintentionally escape and create an unsafe condition.

In this regard, certain valves can become damaged and malfunction if thevalve opening is exposed. Moisture, dirt, insect nests (e.g., wasps),and other obstructions can enter the valve opening during storage ortransport, and can potentially interfere with the valve's opening andclosing mechanisms and cause gas to unintentionally release.Obstructions that enter the valve can also damage the threads, sealingsurfaces, or other features located on an interior side of the valve,which can make it difficult or impossible to establish a leak free seal.Accordingly, anything that gets into the valve, or damages it in anyway, can compromise the seal between the utilization equipment and thevalve, potentially making it unsafe to store, transport, or use thecompressed gas.

Several known covers have been created to attempt to protect a valvefrom tampering and/or exposure. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,854,616 toDaniel J. Steffan and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2008/0232927 to Trimble et al., which are hereby incorporated byreference, describe protective caps for threaded valve stems. However,these known protective caps only cover the exterior of a valve and offerlimited protection for the opening of a valve.

Accordingly, there remains a need for a valve cover that can betterprotect a valve from exposure or damage. There also remains a need forsuch valve cover that also comprise tamper evident characteristics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a valve cover inaccordance with the presently disclosed subject matter.

FIG. 2 shows another perspective view of the embodiment of the valvecover.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of the embodiment of the valve cover.

FIG. 4 shows a side front view of the embodiment of the valve cover.

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the embodiment of the valve cover.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the valvecover.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a valve installed on a compressed gascontainer.

FIG. 8 shows an interior view of a valve.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The details of one or more embodiments of the presently-disclosedsubject matter are set forth in this document. Modifications toembodiments described in this document, and other embodiments, will beevident to those of ordinary skill in the art after a study of theinformation provided in this document. The information provided in thisdocument, and particularly the specific details of the describedexemplary embodiments, is provided primarily for clearness ofunderstanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understoodtherefrom. In case of conflict, the specification of this document,including definitions, will control.

While the terms used herein are believed to be well understood by one ofordinary skill in the art, definitions may be set forth to facilitateexplanation of the presently-disclosed subject matter.

Following long-standing patent law convention, the terms “a”, “an”, and“the” refer to “one or more” when used in this application, includingthe claims. Thus, for example, reference to “a vent” includes aplurality of such vents, and so forth. Unless otherwise indicated, allnumbers expressing quantities, measurements, and so forth used in thespecification and claims are to be understood as being modified in allinstances by the term “about”.

The presently disclosed subject matter includes a valve cover that canovercome the above-described limitations and disadvantages. Someembodiments provide a valve cover that comprises a cap and a plug,wherein the plug is on an interior side of the top end of the cap andprojects toward the opening of the cap. In this manner, when the valvecover is installed on a valve, the plug can provide additionalprotection to the opening and/or the interior side of the valve fromexposure, tampering, or both. In some embodiments the plug includes adiameter that is less than a diameter of the valve opening. In certainembodiments, when the valve cover is installed on a valve, the plugextends at least partially beyond the opening of the valve.

In this regard, FIG. 7 shows an exemplary valve that the present valvecover can be installed on. The valve includes a handle (i.e., a handwheel) 102 for opening and closing the valve. Gas can be loaded into orreleased out of a container through a valve opening 106. The gas to beused in conjunction with the valve is not particularly limited. In someembodiments the valve is intended for use with a propane gas container.Valves may or may not further comprise a threaded lip portion 104 thatsurrounds an exterior side of the opening. Threaded lip portions 104 canbe used to secure hoses or devices to the valve, particularly whenfilling a container. As discussed below, in some embodiments thethreaded lip portion 104 can be used to install and secure a valve coverto a valve.

FIG. 8 shows an interior view of the exemplary valve. While the openingof the valve 106 is defined by its outer edge, the interior side of thevalve includes a valve orifice 108 that can be opened and closed, andthat can serve as an inlet or outlet for gas. FIG. 8 also shows that aninterior side of the valve can comprise an o-ring 110 that is positionednext to the orifice 108, a sealing surface 112, a snap ring 114, and aninterior threaded portion 116 that can individually or collectively beused to form a seal between the valve and any utilization equipment. Anyof these interior components can be protected to ensure that a valve canform an adequate seal. For example, The o-ring 110 can be a rubbero-ring, and can be damaged by obstructions or other contaminants.Similarly, the sealing surface 112 and interior threaded portion 116 canbe damaged, possibly beyond repair, by obstructions or othercontaminants such that it becomes difficult or impossible to establishan adequate seal between a valve and utilization equipment. Furthermore,in some embodiments the snap ring 114 covers only a portion of theinterior circumference of a valve, and contaminants can become lodged inthe snap ring 114 or at a portion of the valve that is not covered bythe snap ring 114.

Looking now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of a valve cover 1 in accordance with the presently-disclosedsubject matter. The valve cover 1 includes a cap 2 that can cover theopening of a valve 106. The cap 2 includes a top end 3 and a side wall7. The side wall 7 shown in FIG. 1 is substantially cylindrical, but theshape of the side wall 7 can vary, and can depend on the shape of thevalve to be covered. The side wall 7 includes a top edge 9 that joins aperimeter of the top end 3. The side wall 7 also includes a bottom edge11 that defines an opening 5 of the cap 2. In this regard, whendescribing the orientation of a valve cover herein, a top side and abottom side refer to, respectively, an upper side and a lower side fromthe perspective shown in FIG. 1.

The top end 3 and side wall 7 together comprise a cap 2 that can be usedto cover and protect a valve. The height of the side wall 7 (i.e., topedge 9 to bottom edge 11) is not particularly limited. In someembodiments the height of a side wall 7 depends on the type of valve tobe covered. In some embodiments the height of the sidewall 7 is about0.25 to about 2 times the diameter of the top end 3 of the cap 2. Insome embodiments the side wall 7 is tall enough that, when installed,the valve cover 1 protects at least a portion of a threaded lip portion104 of a valve.

FIG. 1 also shows that the valve cover 1 includes a plurality of vents21 that extend in a longitudinal direction (i.e., centerline of valvecover) along the side wall 7 of the cap 2. The plurality of vents 21also extend along a portion of the top end 3 of the cap 2. Althoughvents 21 are optional in some embodiments, vents 21 can serve variouspurposes. Vents 21 can decrease the amount of material required tomanufacture a valve cover 1, thereby lowering the material costs tomanufacture a valve cover 1. Vents 21 can also provide an opening forone to inspect a valve's threaded portion 104 (or equivalent nonthreadedportion) without having to remove the valve cover 1. The dimensions andnumber of vents 21 provided on a valve cover can vary for differentembodiments of valve covers and for different applications.

Further still, FIG. 1 shows that the valve cover 1 can further comprisea pair of tear strips 23. The pair of tear strips 23 are substantiallyparallel, and extend across the side wall 7 from the bottom edge 11 tothe top edge 9, and also extend across a portion of the top end 3 fromthe perimeter of the top end 3 towards a center thereof. In otherembodiments, the tear strips 23 extend along at least a portion of theside walls 7, but do not extend across the top end 3 of the cap 2. Ineven further embodiments, the tear strips 23 only extend across aportion of the sidewall, and, for example, only extend from the opening5 of the valve cover 1 to a midway point along the width of the sidewall7. The tear strips 23 in FIG. 1 are grooves formed in the side wall 7,which can be split so that the side wall 7 opens along its width. Thetear strips 23 can be any design that can be split, such as a groovethat is V-shaped or U-shaped, a perforated strip, or the like.

Located between the pair of tear strips 23, and projecting from the cap2, is a pull tab 17. Thus, the pull tab 17 is coupled to a portion ofthe side wall 7 that is between the pair of tear strips 23. As shown inFIG. 1, the pull tab 17 extends from the bottom edge 11 of the portionof the side wall 7 that is located between the pair of tear strips 23.FIG. 1 also shows that the pull tab 17 is perpendicular to the surfaceof the side wall 7. In other embodiments the pull tab 17 is angledrelative to a surface of the wide wall 7. In specific embodiments thepull tab 17 is angled in an upward direction, and in other specificembodiments the pull tab 17 is angled in a downward direction.

To remove the exemplary valve cover 1 from a valve, one can pull on thepull tab 17 with a force sufficient to at least partially split one orboth of the tear strips 23. With the tear strip(s) 23 split, the sidewall's 7 effective diameter can increase such that it can release fromthe valve. The pull tab 17 need not be between a pair of tear strips 23.In some embodiments a valve cover comprises only one tear strip 23, andthe pull tab 17 can be provided on or near the tear strip 23 such thatwhen force is applied to the pull tab 17 the tear strip 23 splits andpermits release of the valve cover 1 from a valve.

The pull tab 17 can optionally be provided with a pull tab handle 19.The pull tab handle 19 can be a relatively wider portion of the pull tab17, and thus can be easier to grab. The pull tab handle 19 can also beprovided with or without texturing, ribs, grooves, or other featuresthat can enhance the grip of the pull tab handle 19.

In some embodiments, the valve covers 1 are not provided with tearstrips 23 and/or pull tabs 17.

Looking now to FIG. 2, another perspective view is shown thatillustrates the bottom side of the valve cover 1. FIG. 2 shows that thevalve cover 1 includes a plug 15 located on the top end 3 of the cap 2that projects toward the opening 5 of the cap 2. The depicted plug 15 issubstantially cylindrical, although in different embodiments plugs canbe of any shape that corresponds to the shape of the opening on a valve.The depicted plug 15 also comprises a flat distal end, although the plugcan have differently shaped distal ends. For instance, plugs 15 may havea pointed or rounded distal end in some embodiments, and may compriserecessed ends in other embodiments.

The plug 15 shown in FIG. 2 comprises a height (i.e., length from topend of cap 2 to the bottom end of the plug 15) such that, when the valvecover 1 is installed on a valve, the plug 15 at least partially entersthe opening on the valve. More specifically, when installed, the plugcan at least partially extend beyond a threshold defined by the openingedge of a valve. In some embodiments, when the valve cover is installed,the opening edge of the valve contacts the inner side of the top end 3of the valve cover 1, and therefore the entire plug 15 is located withinan interior side of the valve (i.e., beyond the valve opening). In otherembodiments, when the valve cover 1 is installed only a portion of theplug 15 extends into a valve's opening.

In some embodiments the plug 15 includes a diameter that is less than adiameter of the valve opening, and therefore the plug 15 can enter anopening on a valve with little to no resistance. In other embodimentsthe plug 15 can have a diameter equal to or greater than a diameter ofan opening on a valve, such that the plug 15 must compress and/or scrapeoff a surface thereof in order to enter a valve opening. In this regard,a plug 15 is said to enter a valve opening when it extends past athreshold defined by the opening on the valve.

Additionally, the dimensions of a plug 15 can vary depending on thevalve to be covered. In some embodiments the height of the plug 15 isdefined in terms of the height of the sidewall 7, or a length between atop edge 9 and bottom edge 11 of the sidewall 7. In some embodiments theplug 15 extends about 5% to about 95%, about 25% to about 75%, and/orabout 35% to about 60% of the distance between the top edge 9 and thebottom edge 11 of the sidewall 7. In specific embodiments the plug 15extends about 10%, about 20%, about 30%, about 40%, about 50%, about60%, about 70%, about 80%, or about 90% of the distance between the topedge 9 and the bottom edge 11 of the sidewall 7. In some embodiments theplug includes a height that allows the distal end of the plug to berecessed with respect to a plane defined by the bottom edge of the sidewall.

In some embodiments a plug 15 can enhance the ability of the valve cover1 to protect a valve, and particularly a valve opening, from exposureand/or tampering. The present valve covers can protect outer portions ofa valve, and can even protect a threaded portion 104 that is around aperiphery of a valve opening 106. Furthermore, unlike known valve coversthat only protect an valve's exterior, the present valve covers canprotect the opening or the interior side of a valve.

As discussed above, the interior side of certain valves can comprise aninterior threaded portion 116 for attaching regulators and otherutilization equipment. Valves can also comprise a machined sealingsurface 112 that is configured to seal with the nipple on a regulator orhose connection. However, if the sealing surface 112 gets scratched,pitted, or damaged, which can occur if debris is in the valve when aregulator or other device is attached, the valve's ability to seal canbe compromised. In some instances the valve becomes unsafe to use, andin some instances the damage cannot be repaired. Therefore, to ensurethat valves are in good working order and can form a satisfactory seal,the plugs 15 can provide protection to the interior threaded portion 116and/or sealing surface 112 from exposure and tampering. The interiorportion of valves may also comprise an o-ring 110 and/or snap ring 114,both of which can be protected by certain embodiments of the presentvalve covers 1.

In this regard, the opening of a valve can also become obstructed to thepoint that a regulator or hose can no longer be connected to the valve.For example, insect nests, dirt, sand, snow, ice, and the like can entera valve opening and make it difficult or impossible to seal theregulator or hose to the valve. The plugs 15 of the present valve coverscan fill and protect the interior side of a valve from suchobstructions.

Plugs 15 can also provide additional protection to valves covers thatcomprise vents 21, since the vents 21 in some valve covers can otherwisepermit contaminants to enter a valve opening or provide easier accessfor one to tamper with a valve when compared to valves covers 1 that donot comprise vents 21.

FIG. 2 also shows that the embodied valve cover 1 comprises a pluralityof protrusions 25 that extend from an inner side of the side wall 7. Theprotrusions 25 generally extend toward the top end 3 of the cap 2. Thus,when the valve cover 1 is installed to cover a valve, the protrusions 25can help hold the valve cover 1 on the valve.

In some embodiments a valve cover will be frictionally held on to avalve once it is installed. In some embodiments of valves covers 1 thatinclude protrusions 25, the protrusions 25 can frictionally hold aninstalled valve cover on a valve. In some embodiments the protrusions 25provide a mechanism by which the valve cover 1 can lock on to the valve,and removal of the valve cover 1 can be easily accomplished only bycompromising the valve cover 1. For example, should a particular valvehave a threaded portion 104, the protrusions 25 can extend between thethreads to lock the valve cover on to the valve. Furthermore,embodiments of protrusions 25 that extend toward the top end 3 of thecap 2, rather than towards the opening 5, can provide additional lockingforce once the valve cover is installed on a valve.

The specific shape, size, and angle of protrusions 25 can vary dependingon, among other things, the valve to be covered. In some embodiments theprotrusions 25 extend toward the opening 5 of a valve cover 1 in aninstalled and/or uninstalled state. In some embodiments the protrusions25 extend toward a top end 3 of the valve cover 1 in an installed and/oruninstalled state. In some embodiments protrusions 25 can extendperpendicular to a surface of the side wall 7 in an installed and/oruninstalled state.

Protrusions 25 can also be manufactured to comprise a certain degree offlexibility such that the protrusions 25 can bend to permit installationof a valve cover 1 on a valve. In some embodiments, flexible protrusions25 have a spring-like action so that once the protrusions 25 bend topermit installation of a valve cover 1 on a valve, the protrusions canflex back towards their original orientation to lock the valve cover 1on a valve. It will be understood that the term “lock” is used herein torefer to any degree to which a valve cover is held on to a valve, anddoes not necessarily imply an absolute lock. Some valve covers can lockon to a valve in such a way that they can only be uninstalled bybreaking (i.e., compromising) the valve cover.

Accordingly, in some embodiments a valve cover 1 that has been installedon a valve can be removed only by compromising the valve cover 1. Morespecifically, in some embodiments, once the valve cover 1 is installedand locked on to a valve, it can be reasonably removed only by breakingthe tear strip(s) 23. Once the tear strip(s) 23 are broken, theeffective diameter of the side wall 7 is increased so that thefrictional force and/or protrusions holding the valve cover 1 to thevalve can be reduced or eliminated. Furthermore, for embodiments thathave a locking mechanism to hold a valve cover on to a valve (e.g.,protrusions), breaking the side wall 7 can allow one to peal peel thevalve cover 1 off of the valve.

Breaking the tear strip 23 or another portion of the valve cover 1 inorder to uninstall a valve cover will indicate that a particular valvehas potentially been accessed or used. A broken valve cover can indicatethat gas has been released from a container. A broken valve cover mayalso alert a user that the valve has been exposed, possibly duringstorage, transport, or both. A broken valve cover may also indicate thata valve has been tampered with. Thus, assuming valves are covered aftera container is filled with a gas, valve covers can function asindicators of whether a particular container has been used since lastbeing filled.

In this regard, when full containers and empty containers are stored inclose proximity to one another the valve cover can be used todifferentiate between full containers, which would have a valve coverinstalled, and used/empty containers, which would not have a coverinstalled. Mix-ups can occur as a result of someone removing a valvecover from a full container, using the compressed gas, and theninstalling the newly removed valve cover on the valve outlet of theempty container. In this situation, one can accidentally take the emptycontainer with a valve cover believing it is a full container. Thus,some embodiments of valve covers are destroyed or rendered unusableduring the initial removal process to prevent them from being reused orplaced back on the valve outlets of empty containers. Thischaracteristic is referred to as a “tamper evident” seal herein.

The presently-disclosed subject matter also includes methods for makingand using the present valve covers 1. The valve covers 1 can be made ofany suitable material or combination of materials. In some embodimentsthe valve covers 1 comprise a thermoplastic resin. In some embodimentsthe valve covers 1 are made via injection molding or 3D printing. Valvecovers 1 can also include metal, resins, or other suitable materials.

LIST OF NUMBERED ELEMENTS

-   -   1—valve cover    -   2—cap    -   3—top end    -   5—opening    -   7—side wall    -   9—top edge    -   11—bottom edge    -   15—plug    -   17—pull tab    -   19—pull tab handle    -   21—vent    -   23—tear strip    -   25—protrusion    -   102—handle    -   104—threaded portion    -   106—valve opening    -   108—valve orifice    -   110—o-ring    -   112—sealing surface    -   114—snap ring    -   116—interior threaded portion

What is claimed is:
 1. A valve cover for a valve having a valve openingwith a valve opening diameter, comprising: a cap including a top end anda side wall, the side wall including a top edge that is coupled to aperimeter of the top end and a bottom edge that defines an opening ofthe cap; a plug that is substantially cylindrical disposed on aninterior side of the top end of the cap, the plug projecting toward theopening of the cap; a plurality of vents that extend along at least aportion of the top end of the cap; and a plurality of flexibleprotrusions extending from an interior side of the side wall; whereinthe plug has a diameter that is substantially equal to the valve openingdiameter, and the plurality of vents are configured to permit passage ofgas from the valve opening when the valve cover is installed on thevalve.
 2. The valve cover of claim 1, wherein the plurality of flexibleprotrusions in a locked state and in an unlocked state extend toward aclosed end of the cap.
 3. A valve cover for a valve having a valveopening, comprising: a cap including a top end and a side wall that issubstantially cylindrical, the side wall including a top edge that iscoupled to a perimeter of the top end and a bottom edge that defines anopening of the cap; and a plug that is substantially cylindricaldisposed on an interior side of the top end of the cap, the plugprojecting toward the opening of the cap; a plurality of flexibleprotrusions extending from an interior side of the side wall; aplurality of vents that extend along at least a portion of the top endof the cap; wherein the plug is configured to at least partially enterthe valve opening of the valve, and the plurality of vents areconfigured to permit passage of gas from the valve opening when thevalve cover is installed on the valve.
 4. The valve cover of claim 3,wherein the plug includes a diameter that is substantially equal to thediameter of the valve opening.
 5. The valve cover of claim 3, wherein adistal end of the plug is recessed with respect to the bottom edge ofthe side wall.
 6. The valve cover of claim 5, wherein a height of theplug is about 25% to about 75% of a height of the side wall.
 7. Thevalve cover of claim 3, wherein the plurality of protrusions extendtoward the top end of the cap and can bend toward the side wall of thecap.
 8. The valve cover of claim 3, wherein: the plurality of ventsfurther extend in a longitudinal direction along the side wall of thecap.
 9. The valve cover of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality ofprotrusions are located at a bottom end of the vents.
 10. The valvecover of claim 3, further comprising at least one tear strip, the tearstrip extending at least from the bottom edge of the side wall towardsthe top edge of the side wall.
 11. The valve cover of claim 10, furthercomprising: a pull tab coupled to a portion of the bottom edge of theside wall located proximate the tear strip.
 12. The valve cover of claim11, wherein the pull tab extends from the bottom edge of the side wall.13. The valve cover of claim 3, wherein the valve cover is made ofthermoplastic resin.
 14. A method of using a valve cover, comprising:providing a valve cover that includes: a cap including a top end and aside wall that is substantially cylindrical, the side wall including atop edge that is coupled to a perimeter of the top end and a bottom edgethat defines an opening of the cap, a plug that is substantiallycylindrical disposed on an interior side of the top end of the cap, theplug projecting toward the opening of the cap, a plurality of flexibleprotrusions extending from an interior side of the side wall, and aplurality of vents that extend along at least a portion of the top endof the cap; and installing the valve cover on a valve opening of a valvesuch that the plug extends at least partially beyond the opening of thevalve and the plurality of vents permit passage of gas from the valveopening when the valve cover is installed on the valve.
 15. The methodof claim 14, wherein the plurality of flexible protrusions areconfigured to lock the valve cover on the valve during the installingstep.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the plurality of flexibleprotrusions extend toward the top end of the cap before and after theinstalling step.
 17. The method of claim 14, further comprising, afterthe installing step, removing the valve cover from the valve by breakingone or more tear strips that are provided on the valve cover.